Is it possible to create an object instance based on a string value denoting its type?

Question

I'm trying to dynamically create an object of a certain type in a LINQ-to-XML query based on a string within my XML document. I'm used to being able to dynamically create an object of any type in PHP and JavaScript by simply being able to write something like:

$obj = new $typeName();

Ideally, I'd like to be able to do something like:

List<someObj> = (from someObjs in XMLfile
                 select new someObj()
                 {
                     Name = (string)someObjs.Element("name"),
                     NestedObj = new someObjs.Element("nestedObj").Element("type")()
                     {
                         NestedName = (string)someObjs.Element("nestedObj").Element("name")
                     }
                 }).ToList();

I just can't figure out how to do it without grabbing a hold of the current executing assembly.

Answer 1

You can use:

Activator.CreateInstance(Type.GetType(typeName))

Of course, this only works for types with a parameterless constructor.

---

Update (initializing the object):

You can use C# 4 dynamic typing features to set properties of the newly created object:

dynamic newObj = Activator.CreateInstance(Type.GetType(typeName));
newObj.NestedName = str;

In the context of a LINQ to XML query, you may have to resort to lambda syntax with explicit body:

var list = XMLFile.Select(someObjs => {
    dynamic nestedObj = Activator.CreateInstance(
       Type.GetType(someObjs.Element("nestedObj").Element("type")));
    nestedObj.NestedName = (string)someObjs.Element("nestedObj").Element("name");
    return new someObj {
        Name = (string)someObjs.Element("name"),
        NestedObj = nestedObj
    };
}).ToList();

Answer 2

Use the createinstance method of activator class